This poem is brought to you by Dr. Rocco’s Specialized Dental Center in Abu Dhabi, UAE..
Words by Mohammed Shehab
Illustration by Rama Duwaji
I wear a mask that’s invisible.
It’s present, but it’s impalpable.
I wear it so I’m beautiful,
In my skin so comfortable,
In my head so capable.
…
I wear a mask. It hides my eyes.
I wear it so well, I disguise…
Disguise the truth and all the lies…
To hide the tears and all the cries…
To drown the screaming and the sighs.
…
I change the mask to try to find
A safety wall to stand behind…
A great escape, a peace of mind.
A box where secrets are confined.
A state where thoughts are so refined.
…
I wear a mask just like a shield,
My armor in the battlefield.
The only weapon I can wield.
I wear it so my wounds are healed.
From all the danger, I’m concealed.
…
I change the mask. I change the face.
For every time and every place…
Fit in the crowd, the human race.
I play the role they might embrace,
Fulfill the norm, keep up the pace.
…
I change one mask and a new mask is born…
And I’m not sure it’s one I haven’t worn.
So I take it off and try to change back
To my primal form, but I’ve lost track…
I shuffle through and try them all,
But nothing seems to fit at all.
Perhaps the only change to make…
The only risk I have to take…
Is to find the real, destroy the fake…
Take down the walls I need to break…
Destroy the mask and stay awake.
…
No longer will I be a rover.
I settle down, I take a breather.
I’m finally home, I’m finally sober.
The mask is off…
The play is over.
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